Chief Secretary participates in 8th National Voters Day celebrations

Exhorts youth to exercise their franchise for a stronger democracy

Jammu, Jan 25 (KNS): Chief Secretary, B. B. Vyas participated in the 8th National Voters’ Day celebration organized with the theme “Accessible Elections” by the Chief Electoral Office J&K at Teachers Bhawan Gandhi Nagar here today.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary exhorted upon the youth above 18 years to get registered as voters and participate in the next elections to contribute their might in the democratic set up. He exhorted upon the voters to pledge to uphold the democratic traditions of our country by exercising their right to franchise in a free, fair and peaceful manner.
Chief Secretary said that Election Commission of India has adopted various measures to provide error-free electoral rolls and to bring transparency in election process. He appreciated the efforts of Election Commission in increasing the enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones, besides spreading awareness among voters regarding the importance of participation in the electoral process.
Chief Electoral Officer J&K, Shaleen Kabra, while speaking on the occasion, informed that 3.30 lakh new electors are being enrolled in the run up to the eighth Nation Voters day. He said that all the claims and objections have been processed on ERO Net, a new initiative of ECI upon which the roll of voters of Jammu and Kashmir has been linked with Unified National Photo Electoral Roll (UNPER).
Chief Secretary presented Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) to new voters, persons with disabilities and millennium voters of Jammu district.
B. B. Vyas expressed hope that all other eligible citizens in the State will also get themselves enrolled so as to choose the representative of their choice.
Chief Secretary lauded the students for participating in National Election Quiz competition and felicitated the winners with prizes. He also congratulated the officers who were awarded for doing exemplary election related work.
Among others the function was attended by DGP, S.P Vaid, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Hemat Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, representatives of political parties, new voters besides youth in good number. (KNS)